Curtain stretcher



Feb, 151927. M. Ems

CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed March 15. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvenloz attain,

Feb. 15,1927. M ELLIS I CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed March 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

g UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

MAUDE ELLIS, OF CLAY CITY, INDIAN.

CURTAIN STRE'ICI-IER.

Application led March 1?', 1926. Serial No. 94,507.

This invention relates to devices for stretching curtains and one of the Vobjects of the invention is to provide a curtain stretcher which is partirularly convenient for su pporting curtains, stretching the same, and n'iending or otherwise working upon thc curtain when it is stretched by reason of the fact that the stretcher is mounted like an easel so that access may be readily had l to either side of the curtain while the worker is' standing up or sitting down.

A. further object is to provide a device of this character in which the upper and lower supporting bars are adjustable vertically and in which there are end curtain supporting rods which are adjustable toward or from each other and in which means are provided attached to the upper and lower bars for engaging-the curtain at a plurality of points. along its length.

Other objects will appear in thel course of the fo-llowing description.

My invention is illustrated in the aecompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a front elevation of a curtain stretcher and holder constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Fig.. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the fabric to which one end of the curtain is preferably stitched.

Referring to these drawings and particularly to Figure 1 it will be seen that my improved curtain stretcher comprises the uprights or end members 10. These entend upward and rearward at a slight angle and are supported by means of the downwardly and rearwardly inclined legs 11, attached by bolts 12 to the uprights 10. Each leg of the upright is provided with a caster 13. Each upright 1() has an aperture at its upper end and attachable to the upper end of each upright 1() is the longitudinal stretcher bar 14. A bolt 15 having a wing nut passes through the aperture in the upper end of each member 1() and through an aperture in the end vof the stretcher bar. Preferably the stretcher bar 14 is provided with a plurality of apertures 11a for the passage of the bolt 15. The lower portion r of each member 10 is provided with a plurality of openings 1G and a lower stretcher bar 17 is apertured at its ends for the passage of bolts 1S.- Preferably there are a plurality of apertures through any one of which the bolt 1S may be engaged. Thus it will be seen that the lower bar 17 may be adjusted up or down, toward or from the `bar 14 and thus the `curtain may be stretched vertically.

rThe stretcher bars 14 and 17 are provided with a plurality of pairs of perforations 19 disposed preferably at distances of approximately an inch apart more orless, and passing through these apertures 19 are the vertical rods 20 which are headed at their upper ends. Villiere one curtain is to be stretched only one pair of these rods 2() is needed, but where two curtains are to be stretched in parallel relation to each other two pairs of rods are. necessary. y

Attached to the front and rear faces of the upper and lower stretcher bars 14 and 17 are strips 21 of fabric which may be somewhat elastic. These strips of fabric are nailed or otherwise attachedatintervals to the bars 14 and 17 extend .upward and downward below said bars respectively, and the margin of each piece of fabric is provided with hooks 22 having relatively thin shanks and adapted to be engaged through 8 the material of the curtain.

In the use of this device the ends of the curtain are folded around the rods 2O and then the ends stitched to the body of the curtain if desired or fabric members may be provided as for instance, the fabric member 23 shown in Figure 5, through which a bar 20 is passed and the curtain may be stitched to the free margin of this fabric member. It will be understood, of course, that the rods 2O are disposed through the openings 19 which are spaced sutliciently far apart to stretch the curtain and hold it taut. rlhe upper and lower margins of the curtain may then be engaged with the hooks 22 and the upper and lower bars may be adjusted vertically with relation to each other. Obviously the curtain may first be engaged with the hooks 22 and stretched vertically and then the rods 20 be engaged with the curtain to hold the ends thereof and stretch the curtain longitudinally. A pair of curtains may be disposed upon two pairs of rods 20 in an obvious manner.

It will be seen that with this construction the curtain is supported in a position which is particularly convenient for monding or darning and atthe same time the curtain is kept stretched and taut during the whole or a portion of its extent as desired. The device may also be used as a frame for supporting rugs to be cleaned or darned or for supporting other work of like character. Inasmuch 'as the legs of the stretcher are mounted upon the casters it is obvious that it .may be wheeled about and placed at a most convenient position for work. Preferably the hooks 24 will beattached to the upper bar 14 so that this device may be suspended from chains or cords.

lVhile I have illustrated certain details .ot construction and arrangement ot parts which I have found to be particularly effective in actual practice I do not wish to be limited thereto as it is obvious that many changes might be made therein without departingA from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

l. A stretcher ot the character described comprising laterally spaced uprights extending upward and rearward, legs supporting said uprights an upper stretcher bar detachn ably engaged with the upper ends ot the uprights and having a plurality of transversely ext-ending apertures. bolts passing through the uprights and through any one of the apertures in said upper bar, the lower ends of the uprights having a plurality Vof vertically spaced apertures` a lower stretcher bar, bolts passing through the ends thereof and engageable with any one of the apertures in the uprights, the lower stretcher bars having a plurality of apertures through which said bolts may pass, and the upper and lower stretcher bars having a plurality of pairs of vertically disposed apertures arranged in longitudinal series, opposed pairs of rods engageable through the apertures in the upper and lower stretcher bars7 fabric strips attached to the upper and lower bars and extending toward each other beyond the bars, and hooks attached to said strips and adapted to be engaged with the fabric ot the curtain.

2. A curtain stretcher, including upwardly and rearwardly extending support-ingr members upper and lower stretcher bars vertically adjustable relative to each other upon the supper-tinol members a fabric strip secured to the opposed edges of each bar, hooks in spared relation along the outer edges oi. each fabric strip, each oit said bars being 'formed with parallel rows of perforations .xtending transversely through the bars, superimposed rods having their ends passed through transversely aligned pairs ot pervorations` heads upon one end ot the rods for limiting movement of the rods in said perfor-ations in one direction7 and fabric members carried by said rods comprising means whereby the ends of a curtain mav be attached to the rods adjacent each supporting member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atiix my signature.

MAUDE ELLIS. 

